Telefonica debuts home security

From David Del Valle in Madrid

June 1, 2015

Telefonica claims to have launched the quintuple-play era in Spain with the addition of a home security service based on machine-to-machine (M2M) communications that can be included in the company’s existing quad-play.

Launching on June 17th, Movistar VeriSure Hogar is a 24-hour security service for the home that can be controlled via a smartphone application, and also makes use of Sigfox M2M transmission technology as well as Telefónica’s ADSL or fibre networks. The service has been launched together with Securitas Direct and will be run by the security company’s smart home unit VeriSure.

Movistar VeriSure Hogar will cost an extra €16 a month plus €9 for the equipment rental. To apply for the new service, customers must have an existing Movistar broadband or quad-play Fusion plan to ensure they have the necessary connectivity. The service includes an alarm as well as a camera with remote recording capabilities.

Once Movistar VeriSure Hogar has been installed in the home, customers can use the service via the VeriSure application, which enables them to configure real-time alerts and notifications and establish which people are authorised to access established protected areas. For example, entry by an unauthorised person will set off the alarm, while the camera will capture the images and record them on a server.

Such services are part of the much-hyped Internet of Things (IoT), as an increasing number of devices are connected to the Internet. The connected home is expected to be one of the first areas where such services will be deployed on a broad scale.